Hey folks, My partner and I are Crime rate is something to consider -Albany sits at 1,053.5 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What would you do? The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
21 upvotes
6 Replies
Kayden Baker
Moved here from Portland about 14 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Kai B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 55, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
19 upvotes
Samuel Ramirez
great question, following
18 upvotes
Robert R.
spot on
15 upvotes
Waylon Hall
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to New York it's better than expected.
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